Material feeding mechanism



Nov. 30, 1937.

c. E. HARRISON 2,100,741

MATERIAL FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [murder i C lifford E- Harrison Nov. 30, 1937. c. E. HARRISON 2,100,741

MATERIAL FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invent r CLLHor-J Harrison Patented Nov. 30, 1937 MATERIAL FEEDING MECHANISM Clifiord E. Harrison, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to American Engineering Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 16, 1935, Serial No. 2,034

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in rams and ram cylinders, and more particularly to devices of this character employed in the feeding of materials.

Rams and the cylinders therefor which are constructed in the usual manner with smooth continuous contacting surfaces, have been found under certain conditions when employed for feeding purposes, to bind tosuch an extent that serious damage occurs to the operating parts. This binding action usually occurs after the device has been in operation for a considerable period of time and has become worn so that a substantial clearance exists between the rams and cylinders. Due to this clearance, siftings are more readily drawn between the ram and cylinder when the former recedes after a feeding operation. The ram also tilts slightly about a transverse axis during its movement in the cylinder. Because of this tilt- 20 ing action these materials have a tendency to accumulate more rapidly near the outer end of the cylinder and upon successive operations of the ram these materials become packed to such an extent as to form a non-compressible scale in the form of a wedge, tapering downwardly toward the inner end of the cylinder. Upon successive operations of the ram additional materials are drawn into the cylinder and finally the mass becomes so packed that the ram cannot be withdrawn after a feeding stroke, and as a result serious damage occurs to the operating parts.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved ram or ram cylinder construction which will eliminate the above mentioned difliculties.

A more specific object is to construct a ram or ram cylinder with flutes, preferably spirally disposed longitudinally thereof, and diverging slightly toward the inner end thereof, or other irregularities in the contacting surfaces thereof to prevent binding of the ram due to the accumulation of siftings between the contacting surfaces of the ram and its cylinder.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of the invention progresses.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a ram and cylinder assembly employing the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred type of ram construction showing spirally disposed flutes therein.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified ram construction.

Fig. 4 is a plan view partly in section of a further modification of the invention showing spiral grooves provided in a portionof a ram cylinder.

Fig. 5 is a plan view partly in section of a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a still further modification of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l indicates generally one form of ram and ram cylinder to which the present invention may be applied. This general construction is shown and described in United States Patent No. 1,958,639, granted to Herbert E. Preston, and assigned to the American Engineering Company to which reference may be had for a full disclosure thereof.

Ram 2 comprises a fuel feeding portion 4, which in the present instance is secured'to a base 5 by any suitable means, such as by bolts 6, and is operated by a crank shaft 1 through a connecting rod 8 extending through the outer or right hand end of the ram and pivoted tothe base portion 5 thereof, as shown at 9. Thus, upon rotation of crank 1, ram 2 will be recip'rocated in the cylinder 3. Cylinder 3 is provided with a liner elementl l constructed of wear resisting material. The portion of the ram box beneath the hopper l2is also provided with wear plates l3. Cylinder 3 has also provided near the right hand end thereof a band of packing l4 held in place by a metallic ring [6 and a second ring I! extends between the packing l4 and the end of the cylinder. These elements are held in place in any suitable manner, such as by bolts l8, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, it is seen that ram 2 is provided with a series of longitudinally disposed substantially spiral flutes 20, extending from the inner or left hand end thereof, and which terminate in an annular groove 2| provided intermediate the ends of said ram. The side walls of each flute 20 diverge slightly from right to left to facilitate the removal of the siftings accumulating therein. A suitable packing material may be provided in the anniflar groove 2| if it is so desired. A broken surface is thus presented to the siftings drawn between the ram and its cylinder, and thus packing of the siftings into a hard scaly mass which eventually causes binding of the ram is prevented.

Fig. 3 shows a somewhat modified construction wherein a ram 2 is provided with a series of longitudinally disposed flutes 22, and a series of annular grooves 23 disposed at one end thereof. The flutes 22 terminate at the second annular groove thereby forming an annular series of substantially rectangular projections 25. In this construction, like that shown in Fig. 2, the side walls of each flute 22 diverge slightly from right to left of the ram 2' to prevent packing of the siftings therein. This arrangement of annular grooves 23 and projections 25 supplements the action of flutes 22 to further prevent binding of the ram.

Fig. 4 shows a further modification wherein the liner element H is provided with a series of longitudinally disposed substantially spiral grooves 26; In this type of construction it is unnecessary to provide flutes in the ram operating therein, the grooves 26 in the liner element being sufficient to prevent binding. of'the ram due to sifting accumulations. It is understood that when no liners are employed the grooves may be provided in the cylinder wall proper.

In Fig. 5 the liner II" is shown provided with a series of longitudinally disposed grooves 21. The side walls of these grooves, as well as the grooves 26 shown in Fig. 4, also diverge slightly from right to left (Figs. 4 and '5) of the cylinders.

In Fig. 6 the liner element H-" is shown provided with a series of projections 28 instead of the spiral or horizontal grooves 26 and 21 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 respectively. By this construc-' tion the contacting surfaces of the ram and cylinder are broken up into a series of spaced points, and packing of the sittings trapped between the ram and cylinder is reduced to a minimum.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that because a broken surface is presented to the siftings trapped between the ram and its cylinder the action of the ram on such siftings is momentary rather than continuous, and as a result the siftings cannot be compressed into a non-compressible scaly mass which finally causes binding of the ram and damage to the associated parts. These constructions are especially desirable in connection with stoker furnaces wherein continuity of service is of great importance. By eliminating binding of the rams in such devices the life of the operating parts is not only prolonged, but efficient operation is maintained without danger of binding of the parts or damage to the operating elements.

- While the embodiments herein described are admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto since it may be embodied in other forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A feeding ram of substantially cylindrical construction, having a material engaging face provided at one end thereof, and a series of spaced, approximately longitudinally extending flutes provided around the periphery of said ram.

2. A feeding ram of approximately cylindrical construction, having a material engaging surface provided at one end thereof, and a series of substantially longitudinally extending flutes provided around the periphery of said ram, the side walls of said flutes diverging toward said material engaging surface.

3. A feeding ram of substantially cylindrical construction, a material engaging surface provided on said ram, and a. series of spaced substantially spiral flutes provided around the periphery of said ram.

4. A fuel feeding ram of substantially cylindrical construction, having a material engaging surface provided-at one end thereof, and a series of spaced, substantially spiral flutes provided around the periphery of said ram, the side Walls of said. flutes diverging toward the said material engaging surface.

5. A feeding ram of substantially cylindrical construction, having a material engaging surface, an annular groove provided intermediate the ends thereof, and a series of flutes extending from said material engaging surface to said groove.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cylinder, a ram operative in said cylinder, said ram and cylinder having contacting surfaces, and substantially spiral flutes provided in one of said contacting surfaces.

7. A feeding ram of substantially cylindrical construction, having a material engaging surface at one end thereof, and a series of flutes extending from said material engaging surface to points located intermediate the ends of said ram.

CLIFFORDE. HARRISON. 

